Man, I've used a huge number of gadgets through the years. Yes, I've had a drum dial and the Tama watch thingy ... among others.

I came away each time just shaking my head and asking myself "why do I even bother".

I have been at it long enough to handle drum tensioning without the need for an assist. I just let the ear do it's work. It usually comes out just fine.

I'm not really sure who those gadgets are aimed at, but they got me a few times. I didn't need them and sold them all off not too long after purchase. I guess it's true ... that whole bit about a suckers birth. I'm living proof.

That what I expected to hear, but still had to ask. Guess I just need to keep tinkering and let experience take over. Un-needed gadgets in the wood working field are plenyfull also.

Jeff C

I guess if these gadgets came with a booklet that said tune your X sized tom to X number and you will get the best possible tone imagined.

But is doesn't right? It's all about that certain tone that you're looking for.

I'm still hunting for it.

...and that wouldn't work regardless of the type sound you are looking for. Every drum is different and responds differently. I suggest the following:

1.) Watch and really study Bob Gatzen's videos.

2.) download and study the Drum Tuning Bible.

3.) Take that information and then really spend some time tuning and seriously developing that skill. It becomes far less "mystical" the more you do it, but it is a skill that one has to develop. It is amazing to me how poorly many (and possibly most) drummers are at tuning. I watch highly skilled pro players that are just clueless about how to get their drums tuned.

JC, don't feel overwhelmed if your tuning skills are not what you would like. You are in awfully good company and you can certainly develop that skill.

I've seen guitar players the same way, so don't worry about it! LOL! (and they have those "magical" electronic tuning boxes to help them! LOL!)

I use timbre pitching - then once I get that note (every shell has one) I tune both heads to that note - and it will sing all day long. I write that note inside that shell (it will not change) and use a little gtr tuner (the one you blow into) to use for reference. Once you get the heads tuned to that note, precise tuning is not nearly as significant, thus eliminating the need for a precise instrument (drum dial) like that. I have come close to buying one of those, but am grateful that I have not fallen victim to that.

Using this method really makes it easy as the reference is always there (and if not, have another instrument give you that note - like a gtr player) - is easily repeatable - and really takes alot of the art/develop-able skill out of the equation - and that is a good thing.

Another worthy note here - some complain that drums that are tuned to their natural timbre tone may not be combatible with each other. Well, we all are quite critical listeners - have you ever listened to some music and think to yourself...."those toms are not compatible as that 12 incher is flat (or should be a B and not a C)" Nope - drums are melodic - but not to the degree that it really matters that much, as we don't listen to drumming that way - (with them as melody makers) as much as instruments of rhythm.

John

I do it the old fashioned way.

Anyway, my partner when I was making guitars, was John Fishman's drum tech. (which makes sense, since me, the drummer was in the shop making guitars while he, the guitarist, was off keeping John's drums in tune...), But I digress...

He used a Tama (insert name here) doohickey to ensure the snare head was in the ball park before he went at it with the strobe tuner. Yes, he actually used a strobe tuner to tune the drums. Yes, I shook my head every time he told me.

But the key there is consistency. The drums felt and sounded the same every night in every room. Those room acoustics can vary wildly, but the drums are close mic'ed so that doesn't matter much. The feel and sound in the monitors was the same every time. And the snare batter was changed every other night, so trying to get back to 'strobe tune' from scratch every other night is a nightmare... It was clever when it was all said and done, but no tension gage is going to tell you what note the head is producing. You can use a tuner for that, but you have to tune each head individually- don't let the opposite head ring while you tune one or you will NEVER get it. I like to place the drum on the carpet to dampen the opposite head. Works great!

Best method is the one God gave ya one each side of yer head. And, they dont cost extra.

I have a drum dial. About the only thing it gets used for is when people want to know what are my drum dial settings. It doesnt get used in the actual tuning.